Apple to Introduce a Curved-Glass iPhone 5?

Sunday May 22, 2011 11:09 pm PDT by Arnold Kim

Digitimes reports that according to industry sources, Apple is planning to adopt a "curved cover glass" for its next generation iPhone.
Cover glass makers are reluctant to commit investment to the purchase of glass cutting equipment due to the high capital involved, said the sources.
According to those same sources, Apple has purchased 200-300 glass cutting machines to be used by glass makers.
There has been no timetable yet for the volume production of iPhone 5 as Apple is currently still working with related suppliers including those involved in cover glass, glass cutting, lamination and touch sensors to improve yield rates, the sources commented.
It's hard to say what type of design a "curved cover glass" iPhone would adopt. It would also fly against recent claims and beliefs that the iPhone 5 will adopt a generally similar-to the iPhone 4 form factor but with only minor modifications.


Apple has previously used curved glass in the previous generation iPod Nano. Image above from DailyMail.co.uk.

The Samsung Nexus S uses a concave curved screen. The reasoning behind the move was for comfort:

Well, our tipster tells us Samsung's been shopping this curved display technology to carriers for a while -- as early as CES at the beginning of this year behind closed doors -- claiming that its research showed such a design improved perceived usability over a perfectly flat display.


Tag: digitimes.com
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Kwill
114 months ago
This confirms it

In other words, there's a new rumor to support the FACT that no one has a clue what the next iPhone will look like.
Rating: 29 Votes
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mrelwood
114 months ago
I think you are getting the curve wrong.

(http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/819/iphone5curved.jpg/)
Rating: 8 Votes
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lostngone
114 months ago

Curved glass? That's so un-Apple!


Yes you are so right, Apple will never do anything with curved glass!
Rating: 8 Votes
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arn
114 months ago

It was most certainly plastic.


http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repair/Installing-iPod-Nano-5th-Generation-Glass-Panel/3128/1

Replace the curved glass screen to make your iPod Nano look like new again.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1054144/First-review-new-iPod-Nano-Shake-shuffle-ready-roll.html

Every edge is curved, even down to the glass covering the screen. It's also incredibly light.

Rating: 8 Votes
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arn
114 months ago
so, iPod Nano had a curved glass screen

Rating: 7 Votes
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Icaras
114 months ago
back to old school tube television!!
Rating: 7 Votes
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AppleScruff1
114 months ago
They should think outside of the box and blow everyones minds by making the iPhone 5 round, like a ball. And out of rubber so if you drop it it won't break, it bounces back up so you can catch it.
Rating: 6 Votes
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neven
114 months ago



purchasing machines that curve the glass? then how the hell do they make Magic Mouse glass?


The Magic Mouse surface is quite clearly plastic, not glass :)
Rating: 6 Votes
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Žalgiris
114 months ago
Curved? I'm not following.
Rating: 6 Votes
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tullys
114 months ago
They were right about the end of the world.

UK readers will realise the end of the world has arrived when MacRumors is attributing images to the Daily Mail.

Nuff Said.;)
Rating: 4 Votes

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